Forget Apple's spaceship HQ. Check out what Amazon's building in Seattle (pictures)

Yes, there is a tech bubble -- three of them, actually -- soon to go up in the middle of Seattle on Amazon's dime.

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Three's a charm

Three turned out to be a charm for Amazon. A Seattle design review board has approved Amazon's plan to build what promises to be a stunning, five-story office building distinguished by three intersecting spheres. Amazon also will build a 38-story tower on the same block.

Amazon's original architectural plan was introduced last spring. In this third presentation to the city, Amazon's architects allowed more public interaction with the building. That did the trick, as the board gave its unanimous approval. You can see some of the slides reproduced here; the full presentation is available here.

Colossal spheres

Getting the green light

Now that the board has given its approval, the plan needs to receive the formal OK from Seattle's planning and development department before a building permit gets issued, according to The Seattle Times.

Amazon's bubbles

Plant rich

"The generative idea is that a plant-rich environment has many positive qualities that are not often found in a typical office setting," the proposal says. "While the form of the building will be visually reminiscent of a greenhouse or conservatory, plant material will be selected for its ability to co-exist in a microclimate that also suits people."